"Martyrs, my friend, have to choose between being forgotten, mocked or used. As for being understood - never"

Albert Camus' quote talks to the challenging choices that martyrs should make in order to be kept in mind. Being forgotten is the worst of the three choices, as it implies that the martyr's sacrifice will have been in vain. Being buffooned is likewise a hard choice, as it means that the martyr's actions will be belittled and their tradition will be tainted. The 3rd option, being used, is possibly the most hard, as it indicates that the martyr's actions will be co-opted for a cause that may not be in line with their initial intents. Ultimately, Camus suggests that martyrs will never ever be truly understood, as their actions are frequently too complex and nuanced to be totally comprehended. This quote serves as a pointer of the tough choices that martyrs should make in order to be remembered, and of the supreme futility of their efforts.